A lasting peace in Ukraine can only be achieved if all sides to the conflict come to the negotiating table, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday.
“Generally speaking, we welcome the desire of the US President, Donald Trump, to end the war through negotiations. However, the following fact must be considered: the path to a just and lasting peace can be opened by having an equation in which all stakeholders are represented. Except for the Istanbul process, Russia has so far been excluded from the negotiations and the desired result has not been achieved. Ukraine should also be invited to participate,” Erdogan said while addressing the nation after a cabinet meeting.
The Turkish leader added that he had already expressed his position on the issue to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Erdogan also stressed the importance of Lavrov’s recent visit to Ankara amid enhanced international efforts to achieve a peaceful solution in Ukraine.
Lavrov held talks with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan on February 23. The two diplomats discussed a possible settlement in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East, including in Syria.
